The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its Joint Venture partner, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P), have recorded a major safety milestone in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, with an outstanding 10 million Lost Time Incident (LTI)-free man-hours across their operations in Production Mining Lease (PML) 53 and 54.
This achievement was celebrated at a high-profile award dinner in Lagos, drawing stakeholders from across the petroleum sector, including regulators, service providers, and senior government officials. The milestone, considered one of the most critical benchmarks in operational safety, underscores the growing emphasis on risk mitigation and health and safety culture in Nigeria’s upstream oil activities.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, praised the JV partners for their commitment to industry safety standards and operational discipline.
“This is a celebration not just for FIRST E&P but for the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Achieving 10 million Lost Time Incident-Free Man-Hours is no small feat. It shows that safety was not just planned, but effectively practiced. The team deserves commendation,” Lokpobiri stated.
He also singled out FIRST E&P’s Managing Director, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, for his leadership and contributions, both locally and on the international stage, describing him as an “outstanding ambassador” of Nigeria and Africa in his capacity as the current Chairman of the OPEC Board of Governors.
In his remarks, Adeyemi-Bero emphasized that the milestone was a product of sustained collaboration among the company’s workforce, partners, and contractors.
“This accomplishment reflects the shared values and diligence of everyone involved—our team members, contractors, and service providers. We have operated for almost 13 years, and our ‘safety first’ culture remains one of our strongest foundations,” he said.
According to Adeyemi-Bero, FIRST E&P, which commenced oil production in 2019 through the Anyala field development in PML 83 and 85, has consistently upheld safety and environmental stewardship as key pillars of its operations.
Adding to the accolades, Seyi Omotowa, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), applauded the JV for its professionalism and operational excellence.
“This achievement is not accidental—it is the outcome of a proactive culture of vigilance, continuous training, and deep commitment to HSE standards. FIRST E&P is one of Nigeria’s top-performing indigenous oil producers with over 54,000 barrels per day,” Omotowa noted.
The safety record comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s oil industry, which has seen increasing pressure to reduce environmental hazards, curb operational risks, and improve stakeholder confidence. With mounting international focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, this milestone positions FIRST E&P and NNPC as industry leaders not just in production, but in responsible energy management.
Experts say the 10 million LTI-free man-hour record enhances Nigeria’s global reputation as a safe and competitive investment destination for upstream oil and gas operations. It may also influence future contract awards, partnerships, and investment flows, particularly with an emerging emphasis on indigenous participation and compliance with global best practices.
As Nigeria aims to ramp up oil production amid dwindling reserves and global transition pressures, operational safety will continue to be a cornerstone of sustainable development. The NNPC/FIRST E&P JV’s milestone stands as a testament to what is achievable when planning, execution, and personnel engagement are strategically aligned.
Stakeholders at the celebration also used the occasion to reaffirm their commitment to continuous safety innovation, environmental responsibility, and the strategic development of Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources.
